A Few More San Francisco Days
Crooner Chris Isaak talks about surfing, singing and growing up in StocktonDec. 10, 1998
The Examiner
By Jane Ganahl
Chris Isaak has been on the road now for months - first in Europe and now in the States - promoting his new album, "Speak of the Devil." When he calls from Dallas he talks even more softly (sexily?) than usual, trying to preserve his honey-smooth vocals for the final push of the tour, which brings him home to The City on Monday (sold out) and Tuesday (nearly sold out) at the Warfield. We've been enjoying Isaak's music, wit and weird sense of humor for a decade and a half. And somehow, the crooner never looks any older, despite his notoriously workaholic nature and love of the body-punishing sport of surfing. Today, that very thing is occupying his brain, thanks to news that waves at his beloved Ocean Beach are breaking BIG.
Q: Have you heard about the surf here and at Maverick's? Double-overhead. . ..
A: Oh, don't tell me this! That hurts. I miss the water so much. I'm the only one I ever see in the pool at our hotels. The pool here in Dallas wasn't heated but I thought, dammit, I need to stay in shape for surfing. So I went in anyway. These people came by and stuck their feet in the water and went "Jeeeez, how can you do that?"
Q: Is it true you're seeded in the upcoming surfing contest (Men Who Ride Mountains) at Maverick's?
A: (laughs) In my dreams! Like Clint Eastwood says, a man's got to know his limitations. I go out there with a rubber ducky around me. Seriously, in all the times I've gone out there, I've gotten maybe three waves, and that was only when someone yelled at me, "Come on, this one's yours!" Most of the time it's utterly out of my league. But it's fun, because it's like having tickets to the Superbowl - you can sit off to the sidelines and watch the pros.
Q: The contest is kind of controversial. What do you think about it?
A: Hmmm. I do know a lot of people competing. But in my mind, it's a little weird because this is not an area where you think about competition, it's more about survival. But I think most people who surf there know what they're doing. Otherwise, you'd have to be sniffing some kind of glue to be there.
Q: What's the best thing about being from Stockton?
A: I guess the weather. It has a beautiful climate, really hot in the summer. And it's very romantic in the evening. In the Bay Area, you don't have that kind of evening - drinking sun tea on the porch, playing guitar in the park. There's a touch of Mayberry to that.
Q: If you could meet any composer, living or dead, who would it be?
A: Chopin. He was magical, takes me to another place. He's big, majestic.
Q: And blue?
A: Yes, pretty blue! But he amazes me. Here I am using two Crayolas, and he's the entire Louvre.
Q: Can you describe your ideal woman in three words?
A: She Likes Me.
Q: Is it true you've found her?
A: Let's just say if people want to know about my love life they have to sleep with me to find out.
Q: Am I wrong, or is your style shifting from Rhinestone Cowboy to Retro Hipster?
A: I don't want to talk about that. It makes it sound so artificial!
Q: Then can you describe your style?
A: Hmm....The only thing I can say about my style is that it's important to accesorize. People come out to see the outfits, and where musically I do what I want, I think when I'm on stage there's an obligation to dress a certain way. When people come to see me, I want to make sure they got a good show, and that includes how we dress.
Q: You do put on a hell of a show.
A: Yeah, well, we're sober, we start on time, we play in tune. You'd be surprised how many bands these days say screw the audience. They don't do their hit because (in Cockney accent), "I don't do that anymore!"
Q: Ever think about going back to boxing?
A: Not for one second. And I think anyone who does it has one oar out of the water. "Look at me - I'm really a man! I have a tattoo, I drive a Harley!"
Q: But isn't there someone you'd like to punch without getting arrested?
A: Hit someone? Not really. If you asked me if there was someone I would like to kiss, there are several. If I had a free pass to do one of those, definitely I would take the kiss.
Q: What's your next movie role?
A: I'm pretty sure I'll do the sequel to David Lynch's "Wild at Heart." It's a whole different cast and director. I'd play the role of Sailor.
Q: If I recall, didn't that role require Nicolas Cage to have sex pretty much constantly throughout the film?
A: Hey, I'm willing to suffer for my art. Maybe I should call before I sign anything and make sure that's what it calls for.
Q: What's the weirdest thing you've seen lately?
A: It was on TV. I saw something really disturbing today. That Levis ad that showed a young musician talking about being approached after a show by two girls who invited him to have sex? I thought that was weak. "I screwed two girls and I'm a big man."
Q: That does seem a little weird in an age where indiscriminate sex is considered a no-no.
A: Right, what are they promoting? Levis without a fly?
Q: What was the last book you read?
A: (long pause) You know, I'm either holding a guitar in my hand and playing, or sleeping, or in the water. And that tends to ruin books. So I'm way behind on my reading.
Q: Did you know you've been nominated for a Bammie / Cammie for Best Male Vocalist?
A: No kidding? Wow, that's great. I'd really like to win that. Tell everybody to vote for me. That would be very, very cool.
Chris Isaak plays Monday and Tuesday at the Warfield. Monday night's show is sold out. Tuesday night still has tickets available by calling BASS.
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